[Putin's palazzo: Another example of the centuries-old Italian-Russian architectural "cooperation"?] (via PS from Der Spiegel)

Russia: The Architect of Putin's Purported Palace Comments on Alexei Navalny's Film (via PS from Der Spiegel; and with thanks to IL). 

See also, "Italy–Russia relations" - Wikipedia, which notes: "Peter the Great and other Russian leaders looked to Italian cities for cultural models, especially in architecture and music. Italy for Russians has been the exemplar of the highest stages of culture, whether classical, Renaissance, or Baroque. For example, the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg was in part modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Classical Russian literature of the 19th and early 20th centuries was strongly influenced by Renaissance Italy." 

JB note: Isn't the Black Sea well-off Russians' vision/dreams of the Mediterranean?

Image from article: The vast villa on the Black Sea coast as filmed in a drone from video by Alexei Navalny; jb - original article below contains videos

Lanfranco Cirillo is sitting in front of his computer in shorts and a polo shirt. It’s hot in Dubai and he’s about to drive out to the seaside. The architect, who has spent decades providing Moscow’s super rich with villas and Italian-inspired designs, left cold Russia long ago. He has even closed his architecture firm there. 

A scene from Navalny's report

A scene from Navalny's report

 Foto: Alexey Navalny Youtube Channel
President Putin leads a video conference from an office in his home.

President Putin leads a video conference from an office in his home.

 Foto: Mikhail Klimentyev / dpa
A shot of the interior of the palace as it is depicted in Navalny's video

A shot of the interior of the palace as it is depicted in Navalny's video

 Foto: Alexey Navalny Youtube Channel
Opposition politician Navalny during his trial in Moscow on Feb. 5.

Opposition politician Navalny during his trial in Moscow on Feb. 5.

 Foto: - / dpa

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